Tucked away in Bayonne’s northeast corner is a hidden gem. Down Lefante Way, past a shopping mall, a movie theater and rows of parked trucks, is a little, nondescript gatehouse. But beyond that gatehouse are sprawling hills of green that house the picturesque Bayonne Golf Club, a links golf course that sits right on the Hudson River.

Playing at the club yesterday was a group of senior executives from various companies across the tri-state area competing in the fourth annual Hudson County Chamber of Commerce’s Liberty Cup.

“This is a fantastic course, highly exclusive, and a lot people don’t know that it’s here,” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Maria Nieves said.

“We felt this is a unique opportunity to showcase what we consider to be one of the premier venues in Bayonne. People love coming to this course and it’s unique in that it’s a walking course so people who are really golf enthusiasts, this course is a lot like courses in Scotland where they invented the game.”

“It’s a beautiful course, which is a euphemism for saying it’s a tough course,” said Peter Kelly, president and CEO of Christ Hospital in Jersey City and one of yesterday’s golfers. “You don’t want to find yourself in the rough, because that’s death.

“But it’s a well maintained golf course, great venue and the views are beautiful. I don’t think there could be a better place to have the tournament.”

And the views offer perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of the Bayonne Golf Club: an unimpeded view of New York Harbor and the Lower Manhattan skyline.

“How many golf courses can say that?” Nieves said.

This year’s tournament featured 16 teams of four members each, the most in the event’s history. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce, and the winners take home the Liberty Cup, a large crystal trophy. Participants included a variety of law firms, financial services, real estate firms, healthcare services and even NJCU President Sue Henderson.

“We got a few more women this year, so I’m happy about that as well,” Nieves said.

Whether a third-time participant like Kelly, or a newcomer like Tom Quigley, director of marketing at Xcel Federal Credit Union, everyone who sees the club leaves impressed.

“This course is unbelievable, the nicest course I’ve ever played at. We’ll be back every year from now on. It’s worth the money and the networking has been great, on top of the golf,” Quigley said.

“You can’t match it. We’re in the middle of Staten Island, Manhattan, Northern Jersey and the course is an oasis, just magnificent. For Hudson County to have this out here is great for us.”

As the president of a major Jersey City hospital, Kelly knows the value the Bayonne Golf Club holds for Hudson County.

“For the economy of the area, what it means to Hudson County is it can bring people to the county. It’s something that Hudson County has needed, will continue to need, and I think as more people come to events like this they can see what the county is all about. This event is a benefit to the county,” he said.

“I think having this annual event at one of the premier golf courses is a testament to how much the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce has really brought the Hudson County community together. I take my hat off to them, salute them, and we really enjoy playing here.” Â